We visited the hot water springs waterfall a couple months ago, but rainy season has kicked in now so we wanted to check it out again. The water was deeper this time so we could actually swim around, and there was virtually nobody else around.

All of the water up top is coming from hot water springs and cascades down at temps of a very hot shower. Below is cold river water. It’s a pretty awesome spot for swimming and exploring.

A couple miles down the hill across the road is a small restaurant/resort perfect for a drink and a swim in the lake. It was all local families and was hard to tell if it was a resort or had been converted into homes for them. Either way everyone was having fun.

We call this Ali’s office, because it’s about the only spot out of sight of the kids when they are at the table. If she stands up and they see her it won’t take more than about ten seconds before someone will say, “Mama, can I have something to eat?”

Spent another afternoon out by the fort. Didn’t actually go in the fort this time around, just enjoyed a few hours in the park and having a swim in the lake.

There are three cats at the marina. A mama, a teenager, and a kitten, and they all come running every day when the kids come by to see them.

After a couple months inland we were all more than ready for some boat cooking.

A Greatest Race type show from somewhere in Europe was here shooting a scene. While this guy was grabbing their next clue, his girlfriend was sobbing in the canoe they had just paddled across the lake in. Oh, the drama.

The winch that hauls the dinghy up onto the boat worked, but was getting slower and squeaking. I had called last year to try and get a replacement motor figuring that I’d be completely screwed if that motor died, but the price was outrageous, so the whole project had gotten put on the back burner. In addition to the motor itself, the whole frame was rusting and dropping rust flakes on the boat so that every time I lifted the dinghy up and down I’d also have to wash off the rust chips.

Anyway, I asked our teak guy if he knew anybody who could do the work, and no surprise he knew a guy who could tear it down, grind the rust, lube up all the bits and pieces in the motor, and give it all a fresh coat of paint. Without even getting a quote beforehand I handed it over. He sent this picture the next day. Ouch, look at the inside of that winch. Feeling a little neglectful for not tackling that project earlier, but also realizing that some jobs you just need to have the right tools/workshop to get it done right. He replaced a couple bits and pieces, fabricated replacements for a couple more, and put it all back together.

A week later this is what I got back, along with a bill for $78. You have no idea how much joy this gave me. I hooked it right back up and it’s like new.

I was so happy with the results that I couldn’t resist asking about another very neglected, and very important motor. The windlass is coming soon.